The Pocket Watch: Where did it come from? | Stuff of Genius
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- čas přidán 1. 11. 2014
- Nowadays, pocket watches aren't anything to write home about... but this wasn't always the case. Learn how locksmiths like Peter Henlein miniaturized the dubious clocks of the day to create portable timepieces in this episode of Stuff of Genius.
Stuff of Genius tells the story behind everyday inventions. From the bikini to super wheat and everything in between. Viewers will learn the stories of unsung inventor heroes and their trials, tribulations and successes.
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Behold, the portable timepiece, also known as the watch.
But where did it come from?
Meet Peter Henlein, born around Nuremberg sometime in the 1500’s.
Nowadays, not much is known about Henlein, other than that he was most likely a locksmith.
In the 16th century, a locksmith was considered qualified to work on all sorts of mechanical devices, including the clocks of the time, which were notoriously unreliable.
Most towns relied on the sun or church bells to keep track of time.
As a result time could vary greatly from one village to the next.
That is, until Henlein sprung his invention on the world: portable timepieces with balance-springs.
Historians generally agree that, while Henlein may not have invented the pocket watch, he was almost certainly the first person to regularly manufacture and sell portable watches.
These drum-shaped time-pieces could run for forty hours without rewinding, and were small enough to be worn on a chain around the neck or carried within a purse.
Though the watches had only one hand, and appear crude by modern standards, they immeasurably changed Western society, and ultimately the world.
Blew all the budget on animations, and had none left to include a picture of a 16th c watch. Classic
"BEHOLD.... The portable time piece" HAHAHAHA xD I love these Stuff Of Genius videos!! 8D
I mean I was looking up the origins of built-in pockes in clothing but this looks fascinating... f*ck it, why not.
The video that came up about this one in my search results answered my question just fine so I was done looking up anyways... also that means I don't need a reply telling me about the origins of pockets. I also saw a video about the origins of Hot Pockets in my search results and I'm now thinking about clicking on that one too. Oh the rabbit holes of the internet.
That’s my great great grandfather
nice to know
What is pocket watch ?
this clock how much
I can't tell you about that specific watch, but similar watches can be had for $10 to $15 (USD). Like wrist watches, pocket watches can also be very expensive though, so...
worst invention in history. if the watch didn't exist, i'd never be late.